Relay.



E. R. BRODTON.

* RELAY.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.3,1808.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

a ffyj Snveufoz Patented July 13,1909.

E. R. BRODTON. v

RELAY.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 3,1908.

Patented July 13, 1909.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

- J0 A J2 -4 anon ion wihwoaeo' g I atto'bnuzo v NITED STATES PA ENT OFF-ICE,

' EDWARD ROBERT BRODTON, OF MOBILE, ALABAMA, ASSIGNOR or ONE-FOURTH o ORGE E. FONDE AND ONE-FOURTH TO ERNEST E. WAGAR, BOTH OF MOBILE, ALABAMA.

RELAY.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 13, 1909.

Application filed August a, 1908. Serial No: 446,739. i I

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD ROBERT BRODTON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Mobile, in the county of Mobile and State of Alabama, have invented a new and useful Relay, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has reference to improve ments in relays and its objectis to produce a relay which will operate only under a predetermined amount of current, that is it will fail to Operate under a certain minimum current and will cut itself out of circuit automatically at a certain maximum current.

By means of the present invention any number of bells or type-writer keys or suitable electromechanical devices may be caused to Operate selectively over two line wires or a single line wire and a ground return. Furthermore the relay forming the subject matter of the present invention may be used as a cut-out switch so that if placed in a line it will cut itself entirely out in case of an over-load. V 1

The invention comprises electromagnetic means which may be adjusted to respond to any predetermined minimum amount of cur rent, and when the redetermined amount of electric current is owing then the electromagnetic means is energized to a sufiicient extent to operate a circuit closer included in "a charged local circuit so that suitable translating devices in'thelocal circuit'become energized. Should however, the line circuit become abnormally heavy then another circuit controlling means is operated by the relay and the local circuit is broken.

The invention will be best understood from a consideration of the following detailed description, taken in connection with the, accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification in which drawings:

- working on the same principle as Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating one form of the relay and the circuit connection therefor. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a number of relays arranged in a single circuit for selective operation. Fig. 3 is a dia ram showing a form of relay differing mec anically in some respects from that shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a view showing a relay 1g. 1 but mechanically similar to 'that'shown in Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown in Fig. 1 a type of relay. particularly suited for use Where the action of gravity may be utilized. The action of gravity is to be de sired Wherever it may be used, since springs sometimes lose their tension and the action of gravity is alwaysuniform.

In Fig. 1 are shown two magnets 1 and 2 mounted upon a suitable base 3. The magnets shown are of the ordinary type consisting of a coil of wire woundaround a suitable core 4, but it will'be understood that any type of magnet may be employed and these magnets are'to'be taken as typical of either magnets or solenoids. The magnets 1 and 2 are arranged side by side within ashor-t distance one of the other and the core of the magin operative relation to the corresponding end of the core 4 of the magnet 1. The other end of the armature lever 7 carries a threaded stem 8 upon which is mounted a nut 9 acting as a counter weight, and,,a clamp screw 10 passing through the nut 9 serves to hold the same in anyad'usted position. That end of the armature lever 7 in operative relation to the coreof the magnet 1, is provided with a contact pin or stud 11 in the path of which is an adjustable thumb screw 12 carried by a bracket 13 fastened on the base 3 of the re lay. That end of the core 4 of the magnet 1 remote from thearmature lever 7 carries ears 14 in which is pivotally supported another armature lever 15, having its active or free end in operative relation to the core 4 of the magnet 2, at the end of the said core remote from the ears 6. The freeend of the armature lever 15 carries a contact stud or pin 16 in the path of which is another contact stud or pin 17 carried on a bracket 18 fastened on the base 3. Carried by the armature 15 is a bar or rod 19 parallel with said armature and secured thereto by end extensions 20. The rod or bar 19 carries a sliding weight 21 held in any adjusted osition by a clamp screw 22. I11 the path of tlie-bar 19 or if desired in the path of the armature 15 is an adjustable thumb screw 23 mounted on the base 3. By suitably adjusting the weights 9 and 21 the degree of responsiveness of the respective armatures 7 and 15 may be regulated as desired.

Inthe structure shown in Fig. 1 there is provided a current source indicated by the attery 24 and the separate cells ofthe bat- I tery are carried oil to contacts 25 in the path lished a circuit by the conductor 35, branchof the switch arm 26, which latter in turn is connected by a conductor 27 to a binding post 28 on the base or support 3. This bindlug-post 28 is connecte y a conductor 29 to one side of the coil of the magnet 2, and the other side of this magnet coil is connected b a conductor 30 to the ears 6 on the core 4 02 the magnet 2. The batteries 24 are connected'in series and on one side are connected by a conductor 31 to a binding-post 32 on the sup ort 3, and this'binding-post is connected y a conductor 33 to one side of the magnet coil 1, the other side of which latter is connected b g a conductor 34 to the binding-post 28 be ore mentioned. The conductor 33 branches off by another conductor 35 to the bracket 13. The ears 14 and the bracket 18 constitute the res ective terminals of a local circuit 36 which atter includes a current source 37 in the form of a battery or other means of current supply and a translatin device 38 shown as an ordinary trembler ell but which may be replaced by any other type of translating device. Now let it be assumed that the weight 9 is so adjusted as to materially over-balance the armature 7 and maintain its stud or contact 11 against the adjusting screw 12. Let it be further assumed that the switch arm 26 is moved into contact with the first of the contact studs 25. The circuit is now complete from the battery 24 to the conductor 31, binding-post 32, conductor 33, coil 1, conductor 34, binding-lpost 28, conductor 27 and switch-arm 26 ack to the battery. There is also estabing off from the conductor 33, then to the bracket 13, screw 12, contact 11, armature lever 7, earsfi, conductor 30, coil of the magnet 2, conductor 29 and from there to the binding-post 28 and conductor 27 back to the battery 24. Both armatures 7 and 15 are so over-weighted as not to respond to the pull'of either magnet and furthermore, the magnet 1 may be wound to higher resistance than the magnet 2 so that the greater amount of current is diverted through the said magnet 2. If the switch-arm 26 be moved on to the second contact 25 soas to include two cells of battery then a greater current will flow through the two magnets 1 and 2, and if it be assumed that the magnet 2 be of lower resistance then the major ortion of the current will flow through t e magnet 2. Assuming that the weight 21 is properly adjusted the armature 15 will respond to the stronger pull of the magnet 2 under the conditions just named and this armature will be lifted-toward the magnet 2 so that the contacts l6 and 17 are brought together and the local circuit 36 is then established from the battery 37 to the bracket 18, contacts 17 and 16, armature lever 15, cars 14 and by the conductor 36 through the bell 38 back to the battery 37. Now the bell 38 will begin to ring and continue to ring so long as the local aircuit is closed. If the bell 38 be replaced by an electric light then the light will glow so long as the circuit rcmains closed. Suppose now that the lever 26 is moved over the other contacts 25 until finally the voltage delivered by the battery 24 1s suflicient to drive enough current through the coil 1 to energize it to an extent which will overcome the .weight 9 and cause the armature lever 7 to move toward the corresponding core 4, thus separating the contact 11 from the screw 12.

Under these circumstances the branch circuit through the magnet 2 is broken and the latter being denergized no longer maintains the armature 15 in the raised position and it gravitates to the position shown in the drawings thus rupturing the local circuit 36. The

circuit through the coil 1 however, remains intact and is not broken by either armature. The coil or magnet 1 therefore remains energized so long as the switch 26 has been ulled to a sufficient extent to include the esired number of battery cells 24. If the direction of movement of the switch-arm 26 be reversed then the battery cells are progressively out out by reducing the voltage of the circuit until finally the pull of the magnet 1 is no longer able to overcome the counterbalancing effect of the weight 9 and the armature lever will move upward until its contact 11 again comes against the adjusting screw 12 and the circuit through themagnet 2 is again completed, thus once again com leting the local clrcuit 36 and causing the be 1 38 to respond. A further reduction of the number of battery cells in circuit will ultimately so weaken the magnet 2 as to reduce its pull to a point where it is no longer able to overcome the weight of the armature 15 and weight 21, and the latter falls away from the contact 17, thus breaking the local circuit 36.

Referring to Fig. 2 there is shown a system in which a number of relays are designated in the drawings merely by the base 3, but which otherwise may agree With the showin of Fig. 1. The magnets 1 of these seversfi relays are included in series in the line of wires 39, in which latter is also included a current source 40, shown diagrammatically as a battery of large size. Branched across the twosides of the line circuit 39 is a series of switch-arms 41. In the path of each one of the switch-arms 41 is one of a series of terminals 43 included in one of the circuit conductors 39 and between the terminals43 is included a resistance coil 44, the terminals 43 being. branched off from said coil. The rheostat or resistance 44 and terminals 43 are so arranged that each switch-arm will include in the circuit a definite amount of resistance, the resistance included by one switch-arm being difierent from that of any other switch-arm. By properly choosing 3813c or lamps or these translating devices Ina be replaced by type-writer keys so that theeye may be operated at a distance.

' Referring to' 3 there is shown a simplified type of relay and in this case but one magnet 45 is used, and this may be included in the main circuit 46. Mounted on one head 47 of the coil 45 or in any other position are two spring arms 48 and 49. These'arms 48 and 49 may be made of brass or other non-ma etic material and are shown as returne screw 50 passin through one of the legs of the arm. The ree end of each arm 48 and 49 lies alongside of the coil 45 approximately parallel thereto. At the extreme. end of the arm 48 is an armature 51 inoperative relation to the core 52 of the coil 45. Fastened to the core 52 is a bracket 53 having one end '54 underriding the arm 48 and provided with a'contact stud or terminal 55, while the arm 48 has a similar contact stud or terminal 56 arranged to engage the terminal 55 when the spring arm is moved away from the coil 45. The bracket 53 is made of brass or some other non-magnetic material and at the u pe'r end is bent around the core 52 and t ere carries a contact stud 57 in the path of another contact stud 58, on an armature 59 carried on the free end of the spring arm 49, in operative relation to the projecting end of the core 52.

In the description of Fig. 3 it has been assumed that the spring arm 48 isbelow the magnet coil 45, and the spring arm 49 above the same, but since these are s ring arms and not acted upon by the force 0 gravity, it will be understood that they may be located in any position relative to the coil and that the latter may also assume any position.

In the structure shown 3 the terminals of the local circuit 36 are connected directly to the end of the s ring arms 48 and 49 respectively as indicate in the figure. Let it be assumed that by a proper manipulation of the screws the spring arms 48 and 49 have been so adjusted that the arm 48 will respond to the pull of the magnet only when the same'is energized by a predetermined maximum current, while the spring arm 49 is actuated by the magnet when the latter is energized by a predetermined minimum current. As soon as the minimum strength of current is reached then the pull of the magnet 45 is sufficient to attract the armature 59, against the resistance of the spring on themselves with an adjusting cuit back to the battery 36. The bell 38 or other translating device is thus energized and continues to o crate so long as the local circuit remains c osed. Suppose now that the predetermined maximum current is reached then the magnet 45 is more strongly energized and ultimately the spring 48 is unable to resist the pull of' the magnet upon the armature 51. When the armature 51 is moved toward the core 52 then the local circuit is broken at the contacts and 56 and remains broken so long as the pull of the magnet 45 is sufficient to overcomethe re sistance of the spring 48.

The structure shown in l ig. 4 is substan- I an armature 66 in operative relation to the core 67 of the magnet 60, and the spring 65 at the armature end also carries a contact stud 68 in the path of which is an adjusting screw 69 mounted in a bracket or support 7 9 from which leads a conductor 71 to one side of the magnet coil 61. A conductor 7 2 leads from the binding-post 63 to one side of the coil of the magnet 60 and the other side of this magnet is connected by a conductor 78 to the binding-post 64. The side of the coil of the ma net 61 remote from that to which the conductor 71 is connected is also connected by a conductor 74 to the bindingpost 64. There are also other binding-posts 75- and'7 6 to which are connected the terminals of the local circuit 36 including the battery 37 and translating device 38. Fastened to the binding-post 75 is a spring arm 77 carrying an armature 78 with its free end in operative relation to the core of the magnet 61 and this armature is provided with a contact stud 79 arranged to engage another con-. tact stud 80 on the core of the magnet 61. The movement of the spring arm 77 and its armature 78 away from the magnet 61 is regulated by a thumb screw' 81. The binding-post 76 is connected by. a conductor 82 to the core of the magnet 61., The two magnets 60 and 61 have their cores connected together by a supporting bar 84 which may be either of insulating material or the cores of the magnets 60 and 61 should be insulated from the connecting bar 84. When no current is passing the spring arm- 65 maintains the contact 68 against the screw 69 while the I spring 77-ma'intains' itself against the back 49 and the local circuit is completed atthe screw 81 with the contact terminals 79 and 65 contacts 57 and 58, and may be traced from 80 separated. The spring and windings being properly adjusted for sired, a current of the roper minimum value will pass by the bin -post 63, arm 65, contacts 68 and 70, conductor 71 to the coil 61 and from thence by the conductor 74 back to thebinding-post 64 and the other side of the main At the same time the current hranc-h through the conductor 72 to the coil 60 and return to the hinding-post 64 through the conductor 73. With the minimum current the magnet 60 will not respond suflicicntly to attract the armature 66 and so separate the contacts 68 and '70, but under the assumed conditions the magnet 61 will respond with suilicient energy to attract the armature 8 against the action of the spring 77, and bring the term]- nals 79 and 80 into contact completing the current dethe local circuit 36 through the binding-post 1 75, mm '77, contacts 79 and 80, the core oi. I the magnet 61 thence by conductor 82 to the other binding-post 7 6, and through the local circuit hack to the battery. Should the current increase sutliciently the magnet 60 is finally energized to such an extent as to overcome the resistance to the spring 65 and then the circuit through the magnet 61 is broken at the contacts 68 and 70, and the magnet is deenergized, so that the spring arm 77 will 1 cause the rupture of the circuit at the coni tools '79 and 80- It to he observed that both oi the cutout and the relay sides of the device are operated the same current source and when a series of relays are included in the I circuit. then each succeeding relay is cut in only after the preceding relay has been cut out of the circuit, so that the action of the device is positive and reliable.

What is claimed is:-

1. A relay comprising electromagnetic means included in a line circuit and a lurality of mmatures controlled by the e ectromagneti-c means and responsive,

tively, to dilierent line currents, one of said armatures in cludahle a local circuit and the ether of said armatures lbs y includahle the line circuit.

2. A relay comprising electromagnetic means included in a line circuit and two ar matures controlled by the electromagnetic means and each biased to respond selectively to a predetermined line current, one armature responding to a diflerent current than the other armature, and one armature being includahle in a local circuit and controlling the latter and the other armature b includable in the line circuit and con iii iiling the local circuit.

3. A relay comprising electromagnetic means responsive to a redetermined minimum current, a local circuit controlled by said electromagnetic means, another electromagnetic means responsive to a predetermined maximum current, and means controlled by the second named electromagnetic means for controlling the circuit to the first-named electromagnetic means.

4. A relay comprising two electromagnets,

an armature for each magnet, one magnet and armature being active to a redetermined minimum current and the ot er magnet and armature being active to a predetermined maximum current, a local circuit including translating devices and controlled by one of the armatures of one of the magnets and a circuit controlled by the armature of the other magnet and itself including the first named magnet.

5. A relay comprising two electromagnets each responsive to a predetermined but different current than the other magnet, armatures for each magnet, means for adjustably biasing each armature, circuit terminals under control of one of the armatures and in circuit with the other magnet, and a local cir- 3 cuit including translating devices under the i control oi the armature of the said other magnet.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto atlixed my signature in the resence of two witnesses.

DWARD ROBERT BRODTON. l/Vitnesses:

D. I. Bns'mn, J11, Geoncn HAYDEN. 

